Cleveland Indians 2018-2019 Offseason Outlook

[AZ_]

You know folks, it’s very possible that the Indians dont have to make “splash” moves to be a title contender.

 

[MoFlo]

With the Olney news, I don't get the sense that they're bagging it in at all.

To me, it's more that they're looking to reshuffle some things around. Deal from a position of strength to boost talent elsewhere.

I don't get the sense at all that they'll be looking for prospects for the likes of Kluber/Carrasco/etc. Moreso, major league talent at different areas of need.

 

[Kevalier]

I'll be 29 this coming August. Would not be surprised in the slightest if the Indians are no longer in Cleveland by the time I'm dead and buried.

I’m 29 now and don’t quite share the same fear you do although I suppose anything is possible fifty or so years from now. The attendance continues to be troubling, and while I understand the economic factors that contribute to the underwhelming turnout, the team has more than earned better support at the ballpark. Ownership upheld its end of the bargain by spending during contention, but the fans haven’t returned the favor by showing up on a regular basis. Attendance was actually down in 2018 from 2017, as they weren’t able to draw the 2 million they did the previous season.

Having said all of that, the relocation threat in baseball isn’t in the same stratosphere as we see in the NFL and to a much lesser extent in the NBA. The Rays and A’s would most likely be moved elsewhere before any other MLB franchise, but both of those situations depend on their respective stadium circumstances. If Cleveland’s population decline continues at this rate, we may be having some difficult conversations about either the Tribe or Cavs. Ultimately, I still say it’s a long shot that either team is gone in our lifetime.

 

[sportscoach]

You know folks, it’s very possible that the Indians dont have to make “splash” moves to be a title contender.

I don't see them with this current team actually winning it all. I feel we gotta add another piece or two

 

[bboy]

I don't see them with this current team actually winning it all. I feel we gotta add another piece or two

or three...

 

[Steve_424]

Miguel Andujar, Justus Sheffield, and Clint Frazier for Corey Kluber - who says no?

 

[AZ_]

Miguel Andujar, Justus Sheffield, and Clint Frazier for Corey Kluber - who says no?

Definitely Cleveland.

 

[Kevalier]

Definitely Cleveland.

The thought of shipping Kluber to the Yankees is genuinely nauseating, but that package would make me think long and hard about it if the team's doctors felt confident Frazier's migraines won't be a lingering issue.

 

[Steve_424]

You know folks, it’s very possible that the Indians dont have to make “splash” moves to be a title contender.

I agree with this to a point. The worrisome part is that we were the 4th best AL team last year and will likely lose Allen, Miller, Brantley, and Donaldson from that playoff squad. Meanwhile, the Red Sox and Yankees bring back almost everyone and will add pieces, while the Astros may lose a few but will certainly reload. We don't need to sign Bryce Harper, but sticking Kip in LF and Naquin in RF ain't gonna cut it either.

 

[sportscoach]

I agree with this to a point. The worrisome part is that we were the 4th best AL team last year and will likely lose Allen, Miller, Brantley, and Donaldson from that playoff squad. Meanwhile, the Red Sox and Yankees bring back almost everyone and will add pieces, while the Astros may lose a few but will certainly reload. We don't need to sign Bryce Harper, but sticking Kip in LF and Naquin in RF ain't gonna cut it either.

I think Kipnis will be gone this offseason, but honestly this isn't a very deep free agent class in a lot of ways. I mean you have Harper and Machado would will merit a lot of money, but I have a hunch it will go like last winter were just the guys in demand will get the contracts and once the teams with a budget spend theirs then the rest of the guys will fall in price. Also the age of the free agents scare me as well since most are going towards the end of their careers. I feel getting the pieces we need through trade is likely going to happen.

 

[Derek]

I agree with this to a point. The worrisome part is that we were the 4th best AL team last year and will likely lose Allen, Miller, Brantley, and Donaldson from that playoff squad. Meanwhile, the Red Sox and Yankees bring back almost everyone and will add pieces, while the Astros may lose a few but will certainly reload. We don't need to sign Bryce Harper, but sticking Kip in LF and Naquin in RF ain't gonna cut it either.

To be fair, 3/4 of those guys provided no real value to the team last year.

 

[chuck0609]

I agree with this to a point. The worrisome part is that we were the 4th best AL team last year and will likely lose Allen, Miller, Brantley, and Donaldson from that playoff squad. Meanwhile, the Red Sox and Yankees bring back almost everyone and will add pieces, while the Astros may lose a few but will certainly reload. We don't need to sign Bryce Harper, but sticking Kip in LF and Naquin in RF ain't gonna cut it either.

Perhaps the idea of moving someone like Kluber is the classic take a step backward to take two steps forward. Starting pitching is a premium, and he should still command a hefty return.
I don't see them starting a fire sale to rebuild, they still have Lindor and Ramirez signed for a few years. Any move should shore up positions, OF, 3B, 1B while allowing flexibility in a couple years when the time comes to move Lindor (Yes I said it, hes not getting 30-40M a year in CLE).

Really developing Bieber really allows moving one of the starters. Its a real luxury.

 

[Urban]

I have seen a few different projections of Daniel Murphy in the 2 yr $20m ($10m/yr) range as a future 1B or DH. In the event that the Indians could somehow shed all of EE's money, I think Murphy would be a great replacement at half of the cost.

 

[FrontPageNews]

I’ll be very disappointed if we don’t bring back miller. I know he hasn’t been the same for a few years but his upside is greater than anyone else we have in the bullpen. Why not take a short term risk on him?

 

[NorthCoastBias]

View: https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1059827605468135425